Daily COVID-19 Update: May 28, 2020

Supports for Business

Invest Medicine Hat Launches 10/20/30 Residential Lot Incentive Program

The program is designed to encourage residential construction of single detached houses and duplexes in greenfield subdivisions in Medicine Hat. Licensed builders that register for the program will receive a $10,000 rebate once construction has been completed to the weeping tile stage. This offer is limited to the first 30 lots registered by licensed builders that purchase a Residential Lot between June 1 and December 31 in any greenfield subdivision (private or public) and register for the program with Invest Medicine Hat. Read more.

Survey: Deferral Of Payments Of Duties And Taxes

On March 27, the federal government announced the deferral of payments of duties and taxes on imports through to the end of June. We want to learn more about how the deferral is working in practice and so are seeking your views in a 90-second survey to inform our discussions with the government. The deadline to contribute is June 4, 2020. Complete the survey.

High-level event on financing solutions related to COVID-19

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, the Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau, and the Prime Minister of Jamaica Andrew Holness, will convene world leaders and international organizations today in a joint initiative to sharpen and accelerate our global response to the significant economic and human impacts of COVID-19, and advance concrete solutions to the development emergency. The outcomes of the High-Level Event include the formation of six discussion groups, a collaborative effort that aims at providing concrete proposals by mid-July. Read more.

Changes to Alberta’s Food Regulation

Changes to Alberta’s Food Regulation enable Albertans to sell low-risk home-prepared foods from home and at special events, increasing access to locally prepared food. Home-based businesses will not require food-handling permits or be subject to inspections for foods that present a low risk for food-borne illness. Low-risk foods do not require refrigeration and include such items as baked goods, jams/jellies, candies, pickled foods and cereals. High-risk foods and foods containing meat, poultry, seafood and/or raw milk will continue to be prohibited. Home-prepared foods, including those sold at farmers markets, will need to be clearly and appropriately labelled so consumers can make informed choices. Vendors at farmers markets selling home-prepared foods will be asked to comply with the new labelling requirements, in addition to existing farmers markets guidelines. Implementation of these requirements will take place gradually, starting with education. More information on low-risk home-prepared food is available online.

Community Supports and Resources

Preschools can open with increased safety measures

Alberta preschools are now allowed to reopen, but facilities should first meet heightened safety standards. Precautions include preparations for buildings before reopening and mandatory measures during operation. Detailed guidelines for preschools can be found online.

Advocacy

Commentary: The Great Quickening, The Wide Ranging Fallout Of The Work From Anywhere Disruption

The announcement from tech companies that they will shift to work from anywhere is not what is surprising; it is the potential pace of that change that is significant. The scope and intensity of this shift will depend on the extent to which industries outside the tech sector adopt similar policies. Nonetheless, spurred by necessity, many companies and organizations generated a proof of concept. How businesses and policymakers respond to this proof of concept will have long standing ramifications not least of all for industries and services where location remains king. Read more.

Commentary: COVID-19 And Supply Chains, No Silver Bullet Solutions

The current crisis has shown that supply chains are hugely complicated with many moving parts needed to shift private sector behaviour. There is also the interplay of how these policy measures could affect other sectors. It is better to think of the cumulative impact of these variables on company-level microeconomic decisions that lead to the macroeconomic shifts. Read more.

The Business Of Business: Impacts Of COVID-19 On Businesses, With RBC

In this episode of The Business of Business, Canadian Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Perrin Beatty and Greg Grice, Executive Vice-President of Business Financial Services at RBC, discuss the impacts of COVID-19 on businesses in the short-, medium- and long-term, as well as how businesses can prepare for reopening. Watch now.

New Resources

CBRN Business Reopening Toolkit Includes Provincial/Territorial Regulation Tracker

In order to operate, businesses must abide by all national, provincial/territorial and local codes issued by our governments. This includes when and which businesses can open, an array of health and safety measures, social distancing standards, occupancy limits and more. Through the CBRN Business Reopening Toolkit, you can access the rules and regulations that are in place according to federal and provincial/territorial jurisdictions. Access the toolkit.

New Podcast: Resources Of The Future - The Future Of Electricity In Canada And Its Role In Canada’s Net-Zero Economy

In this episode, we hear from Francis Bradley, President of the Canadian Electricity Association, as we talk about the future of electricity in Canada. We cover everything from cybersecurity risks, connected grids and big data utility bills that might just come with cookies. Learn where the industry is headed and how it will play a role in Canada’s aspirations for a net-zero economy by 2050. Listen now.

New Podcast Series: Conference Board of Canada - Bright Future Podcast

In our latest podcast series, The Conference Board of Canada brings you the connections that make us stronger as individuals, as organizations, and as a country. Hear from senior-level executives from our biggest institutions and leaders from Canada and around the world. For us, leader isn’t a title, it’s a way of acting in the world. You’ll hear leaders who are working to create a bright future. Listen for free.

Statistics Canada Releases Data On Potential For Working From Home

Today Statistics Canada released information on how the pandemic has affected the push for people to work from home amid social distancing. The report also considers how many people may be able to continue to work from home into the future. Overall, about 40% of Canadians are in jobs that could plausibly be done from home. Read the full report.

Featured Webinars

Essential Business Service Cyber Security Webinar with Field Effect | June 4 at 9:30 am MST

At Field Effect, we pride ourselves on protecting Canadian businesses and organizations from cyber threats. And so, we’ve partnered with the Canadian Chamber of Commerce as one of their Essential Business Services (EBS) programs, to share with you the steps you need to take to ensure your organization’s cyber security stays healthy throughout this pandemic and beyond. Register now.

Planning For Recovery: How To Restart Your Business In The Wake Of COVID-19

Join us June 2 at 10:00 p.m. MST for a live webinar with the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC).

BDC’s Chief Economist Pierre Cléroux will give an economic update and speak about the main business trends that will reshape the way we do business and BDC’s Advisory Services Executive Vice President Peter Lawler will discuss what business owners should be doing now as they ramp up operations, along with providing an overview of the financial support programs and resources available. Register now.

Build Your Online Presence, With Facebook

Join us on Wednesday, June 3 at 11:00 a.m. MST to learn how to build your business's online presence with a Facebook Business Page and find out about the free Facebook tools to jumpstart your business online. We'll cover everything from building your Facebook business page to communicating with your customers and managing and measuring your page. Register now.